PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mauricio Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary White (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). White is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Kanye West - Stronger. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rua
vs
White

170 cm
22
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mauricio Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gary White!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Franklyn Lucas and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

White has closed the distance and engaged Rua in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Rua's face as he tries to break the clinch.
White misses with a knee to the head.
Rua blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rua tries to break the clinch but White is controlling the position.
White throws an elbow that misses.
White is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
Rua is trying to break free.
White tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rua avoids it.
White misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
Rua fails to pull the fight into his guard.
White is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
White tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rua avoids it.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
Rua working hard to break the clinch.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua avoiding damage as White throws knees to the body.
White missing with knees to the body.
White manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Rua misses with a punch on the inside.
White missing with knees to the body.
Rua misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua can't break the clinch.
Rua is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
White tries a knee to the head but Rua blocks it.
White has Rua pressed against the cage, preventing Rua from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rua can't break the clinch.
White prevents Rua from breaking the clinch.
White tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rua avoids it.
Rua avoids the elbow strike from White, against the cage.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
White is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua is trying to force a seperation but White has the dominant position.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
White lands a nice elbow.
White keeps control of Rua as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
White slows down the pace here.
Rua has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
Rua is trying to force a seperation but White has the dominant position.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, White just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rua's brow.
White tries a knee to the head but Rua blocks it.
White is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
White lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rua has had enough of the clinch but White keeps him there for the moment.
Rua wants to get back to striking at distance but White won't allow it.
White throws an elbow that misses.
White trying to land knees to the body.
Rua wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rua jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as White walks away with a smile on his face. Rua gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
White misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
White misses with a kick to the body.
Rua lands a two punch combo.
White lands with a nice body kick.
Rua lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Rua connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
White stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and White wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mauricio Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rua smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
White tries a head kick but it misses.
A nice combination there by Rua.
Rua throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rua misses with a two punch combination.
White avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rua throws a right and a left that White avoids nicely.
White throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rua is breathing heavily.
White pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
White looks to land a body kick but Rua moved away.
Rua lands with a right hand.
Rua takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
White looks to land a right hand but Rua moved out of range.

Rua tries to keep at a distance but White has taken the fight into the clinch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rua blocks an elbow strike from White.
Rua avoiding damage as White throws knees to the body.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
White missing with knees to the body.
Rua wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rua tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. White just stands there and leans against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Rua blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
White landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Rua avoiding damage as White throws knees to the body.
White connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rua's face.
White misses with a knee strike.
Rua tries to break the clinch but White is controlling the position.
Knees in the clinch landing for White.
Rua working hard to break the clinch.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
White keeps control of Rua as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
White throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rua blocks it with crossed arms.
White lands a good knee to the midsection. Rua won't want to take too many of those.
White misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
White lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
White is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Rua takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rua tries to circle away but White has him pinned against the cage.
White just leaning against Rua, taking a breather.
Rua wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
White stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
White keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rua's efforts to push away.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nice elbow from White.
White missing with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. White obliges.
Rua avoiding damage as White throws knees to the body.
Rua wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
White lands a nice knee to the body.
Rua tries to break the clinch but White is controlling the position.
Rua working hard to break the clinch.
White keeps control of Rua as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rua tries to break the clinch but White is controlling the position.
Rua takes an elbow to the forehead.
White misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
Rua tries to break the clinch but White is controlling the position.
White is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
White missing with knees to the body.
White gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
The referee is keeping an eye on White - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A frustrated look appears on Rua's face as he tries to break the clinch.
White missing with knees to the body.
White is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary White dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rua lands a jab to the head.
White throws a sloppy head kick and Rua moves out of range easily.

White drives through and clinches with Rua against the cage.
Rua working hard to break the clinch.
Rua jumps guard but White stands there with Rua around his waist. Rua gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rua is trying to break the clinch but White is controlling him.
White misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
Rua has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rua wants to get back to striking at distance but White won't allow it.
Rua avoiding damage as White throws knees to the body.
Rua managing to block the knees to the body from White.
Rua has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rua jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as White walks away with a smile on his face. Rua gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

White moves into the clinch.
Rua managing to block the knees to the body from White.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua misses with the head strike.
Rua wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but White has him pressed against the cage.
Rua wants to break free but White has control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
White creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rua's defenses.
White is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
White lands a nice elbow.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rua managing to block the knees to the body from White.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua throws a head punch that misses.
Rua fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mauricio Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rua wants to break free but White has control.
White throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rua blocks it with crossed arms.
Rua can't break the clinch.
Rua throws a punch but it's blocked by White.
White lands an elbow inside that Rua shrugs off.
White has Rua pressed against the cage, preventing Rua from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rua takes a knee to the side of the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by White.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
White misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
Rua throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by White.
Rua blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
White scores a nice knee to the body.
White tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rua avoiding damage as White throws knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Rua fails to land.
White putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rua in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
White is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
Rua is trying to break the clinch but White is controlling him.
Rua tries to pull guard but White holds him up against the cage and eventually Rua drops back down to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
Rua managing to block the knees to the body from White.
Rua tries to circle away but White has him pinned against the cage.
White has Rua pressed against the cage, preventing Rua from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rua wants to get back to striking at distance but White won't allow it.
White unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Rua tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
With the fighters up against the cage, White throws an elbow but misses.
White keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rua's efforts to push away.
White tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rua avoids it.
Rua wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
White throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rua blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rua avoiding damage as White throws knees to the body.
Rua wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but White has him pressed against the cage.
White misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
White trying to land knees to the body.
Rua is trying to break the clinch but White is controlling him.
White trying to land knees to the body.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua tries to break free but White pushes him back against the cage.
Rua wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but White has him pressed against the cage.
White missing with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
White keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rua's efforts to push away.
Rua tries to break the clinch but White is controlling the position.
Rua looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
White crunches a lovely knee into Rua's ribcage.
White lands a nice elbow.
White unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Rua is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
White tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rua avoids it.
White creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rua's defenses.
Rua managing to block the knees to the body from White.
White missing with knees to the body.
Rua is trying to force a seperation but White has the dominant position.
White working Rua over with knees to the body.
White landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rua is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
White tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rua avoids it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Rua is trying to break the clinch but White is controlling him.
White trying to land knees to the body.
Rua tries to break free but White pushes him back against the cage.
White tries a knee to the head but Rua blocks it.
White keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rua's efforts to push away.
Rua is looking to break free of the clinch but White has double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rua is trying to break free.
White is pushing Rua up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Rua blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
White misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
Rua jumps guard but White stands there with Rua around his waist. Rua gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rua wants to get back to striking at distance but White won't allow it.
Rua being controlled against the cage.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua is trying to force a seperation but White has the dominant position.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
White missing with knees to the body.
Rua is looking to break free of the clinch but White has double underhooks.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rua wants to break free but White has control.
White missing with knees to the body.
Rua doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rua blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A frustrated look appears on Rua's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rua wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary White showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rua tries to keep at a distance but White has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rua managing to block the knees to the body from White.
Knees to the body from White.
Rua tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. White smiles and moves away.
White throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A head kick misses from White.
White thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rua if he has to take too many more of those.
Mauricio Rua is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rua clobbers White with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
White dodges the punch combination from Rua.
White throws a head kick that misses.
White closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Mauricio Rua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rua has a takedown stuffed.

White drives through and clinches with Rua against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
White creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rua's defenses.
White has Rua pressed against the cage, preventing Rua from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rua wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
White trying to land knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Rua's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
White slows down the pace here.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
Rua blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua has had enough of the clinch but White keeps him there for the moment.
Rua avoiding damage as White throws knees to the body.
Rua can't break the clinch.
Rua fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mauricio Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rua wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but White has him pressed against the cage.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
White misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
Rua wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rua is trying to force a seperation but White has the dominant position.
White pushes off an throws an elbow but Rua leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
White stalling the fight.
Rua tries to break free but White pushes him back against the cage.
Rua managing to block the knees to the body from White.
White tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rua avoids it.
Rua looking for a takedown.
White has Rua pressed against the cage, preventing Rua from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rua tries to break the clinch but White is controlling the position.
White trying to land knees to the body.
Rua looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rua managing to block the knees to the body from White.
Rua fails to pull guard.
White with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rua fails to pull the fight into his guard.
White missing with knees to the body.
Rua wants to break free but White has control.
White throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rua tries to circle away but White has him pinned against the cage.
White lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Rua's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rua avoiding damage as White throws knees to the body.
White is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
Rua tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. White smiles and moves away.
Rua sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A nice combination there by Rua.

White has Rua up against the cage in a clinch.
Mauricio Rua has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
White throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rua takes a knee to the side of the body.
White trying to land knees to the body.
Nice elbow from White.
White lands an elbow that stopped Rua in his tracks for a moment.
Rua fails to pull guard.
White throws an elbow but it misses.
White tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rua avoids it.
Rua blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rua looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
White missing with knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by White.
White missing with knees to the body.
Rua takes an elbow to the temple.
White keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rua's efforts to push away.
White tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rua avoids it.
White is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
White blocks a punch to the side of the head.
White missing with knees to the body.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.
Rua tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rua has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
White misses with a knee to the head.
White throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rua blocks it with crossed arms.
White tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rua avoids it.
Rua wants to get back to striking at distance but White won't allow it.
Rua on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rua tries to circle away but White has him pinned against the cage.
White lands a nice knee to the body.
Rua misses with a short punch on the inside.
White blocking some punches.
Rua managing to block the knees to the body from White.
Rua wants to get back to striking at distance but White won't allow it.
White tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rua avoids it.
Rua is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
White misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rua.
White is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rua is defending well for now.
White with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rua wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
White landing some nice looking knees to the body.
White working Rua over with knees to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rua wants to get back to striking at distance but White won't allow it.
White unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Rua can't break the clinch.
White utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
White tries to land knees in the clinch but Rua avoids the damage to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gary White comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got White winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gary White!